Through the Time [3]

III. The Shakespeare Code

The Doctor, Martha, the Protector and Shakespeare are lead through the halls of Bedlam Hospital. Screams and moans are heard as they walk past.

"Does my lord, Doctor, wish some entertainment while he waits? I'd whip these madmen. They'll put on a good show for ya. Bandog and Bedlam!" one jailer tells the Doctor.

"No, I don't!" the Doctor tells them.

"Wait here, my lords, while I make him decent for the lady," the jailer tells them before walking away from the group of four.

"So this is what you call a hospital, yeah? Where the patients are whipped to entertain the gentry? And you put your friend in here?" Martha questions, looking over at Shakespeare in disgust.

"Oh, it's all so different in Freedonia," Shakespeare mocks.

"But you're clever! D'you honestly think this place does any good?"

"I've been mad, I've lost my mind. The fear of this place set me right again, it serves its purpose," Shakespeare tells them.

"Mad in what way?" Martha questions.

"You lost your son," the Protector states, looking over at Shakespeare sadly.

"My only boy. The Black Death took him. I wasn't even there," Shakespeare says, looking away from the group.

"I didn't know, I'm sorry," Martha says.

"It made me question everything. The futility of this fleeting existence," Shakespeare begins. "To be or not to be... ooh. That's quite good."

"You should right that down," the Doctor tells him.

"Hmm. Maybe not," Shakespeare hums, not really feeling the line he's said. "Bit pretentious."

"This way, my lord," the jailer says, causing the Doctor and Protector to turn their head to see the jailer turn their head to see him at the end of the corridor. The Doctor begins walking towards him, Shakespeare following behind but the Protector grabs Martha and stops her from walking. The Doctor stops, not seeing his wife following him, so he turns to see her stood a few paces away with Martha.

"You coming?" the Doctor questions, the Protector turning her head to look at him.

"Yeah. I just want to have a chat with Martha quickly. I'll be there in a moment," the Protector tells him.

"Alright," the Doctor says before continuing down the corridor with Shakespeare. The Protector turns her head back to Martha, looking at her with a stern face.

"Look. We have taken you on this trip because we're nice and we offered you one trip. Now. Here's a little thing about us. We know history. You don't. We've done this many a times before in the past. This is your first time. We know what to say and what not to say. You don't. But no matter what, you never, never talk to people that way. I know what Shakespeare feels. I lost myself when I lost my children. So does the Doctor. But you have no right to talk to him the way you just have," the Protector begins. "Actions have consequences. You don't know what will affect history. You don't know what things can be changed and what's fixed. But we do. And lucky for you, that isn't a fixed point. So, you got lucky this time. But I don't do mistakes. And neither does my husband. Anyway, come along."